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Post by Oatking on Jun 24, 2023 11:33:19 GMT -6
I wanted to ask recent or past owner of newer Mack semi trucks . I was looking at trucks between 2010-2018. Any common issues or major problems to look out for. Some mechanics say to stay away because Mack caters to there own truck, meaning less aftermarket parts available . However I know with my 579 Pete , paccar is the same way. Should I I be worried running a day cab Mack with 600 to 900 ooo km ? I am looking to pick up a spare truck. What are your thought on these trucks?
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Post by kevlar on Jun 24, 2023 13:34:42 GMT -6
We have an ‘09 so not quite in the age you’re asking about. We’ve had it probably 5-6 years now, no real issues yet, thought the DPF was acting up once shortly after we got it but they gave it a good check over at Mack in Brandon and found the fuel filter base had a hairline crack and it was letting air in so it couldn’t do a proper regen. Parts have never been an issue, usually have what I need or can get it shortly, they have even told me to go to Fort Gary or other places because it would be cheaper there. It doesn’t seem to be over powered at 485, had an M11 at 370-410 that I’m sure would have out pulled it, but it sounds like most trucks of that era of emissions are like that. It likes fuel, but I think emissions again. I don’t like how the front axle rides, has air ride and it seems good loaded but empty it bottoms out a lot,, but our roads suck. Might try a Timbrun rubber block and see if it helps.
Other that that I like it, seems pretty reliable.
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bigal
New Member
Posts: 37 Likes: 26
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Post by bigal on Jun 24, 2023 23:53:51 GMT -6
Well, I am probably biased, and I am a farm employee, not the owner, so it is easy for me to complain, but my experience with my boss's Mack(2009,model number escapes me) somewhere around 400 horse. It's an OK truck, but my view is, make sure you get one with enough horsepower, because they absolutely suck when it comes to low end torque. And turbo lag like you wouldn't believe if you ever let the RPMs go below 1200. Contrast that to my boss's old L9000 with a Cummins big cam, where low RPMs don't phase it at all. I've never driven a Paccar, so I don't know how they compare, but I'd guess they are more like a Cummins or Cat when it comes to driving style? Macks need RPM to work, at least in my experience. Seems to be reliable though, just feels pretty gutless if you are used to trucks with good low end torque. My $0.02
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Post by Oatking on Jun 25, 2023 9:40:40 GMT -6
I wonder since most of the macks have an auto transmission , from my experience with autos they need high rpms to shift. First time I drove an auto I was afraid to push the pedal to the medal because of 2100rpm every shift unlike a standard where you can do gear changes at around 1500rpms. I know that shift change can be reprogramed to a desired rpm. What year did mack switch to def? Maybe kevlar an 09 model might be less trouble. I know one thing for sure is the next def truck I get I am leaving it stock. no delete. I am hearing more companies not taking trades on deleted trucks or equipment and although a delete kit may seem like a good idea , it is extremely important who and what type of program they buy to perform it. My pete got messed up as a result. live and learn.
Maybe a silly question but here goes, how many guys feel a sleeper truck is a deal breaker? I prefer day cabs but what if any advantages do you get by buying a sleeper cab. They sleeper cab trucks have way more kms on them and day cabs always seem in rough shape.
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Post by meskie on Jun 25, 2023 9:55:16 GMT -6
Sleeper trucks have more choices and are generally cheaper than a day cab of similar condition. Not sure I would want a day cab I like to keep tools and a few spare parts in my truck. Would be cluttered without the sleeper.
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Post by kevlar on Jun 25, 2023 10:08:07 GMT -6
Day cabs might have less miles but likely similar hours. Take into consideration what the truck has done, down a smooth highway (not Manitoba) or hauling gravel out of pits and beat up roads. I like bunks for storage and can carry extra clothes in the winter in case you have trouble, or take off your winter clothes and be more comfortable if it’s a longer trip.
Not sure what year they started with def, I’ve never had issues with the DPF, touch wood, it does make it a little tricky to shift gears when it’s doing a regen on the go, kind of feels like the throttle is hooked up with a bungee cord, add a half empty water tank and people probably think it’s your first day driving! lol
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Post by OptimallyDismal on Jun 25, 2023 12:41:28 GMT -6
I bought a Mack DMM with the offset cab, I think it was a 91, it was 6 wheel drive but it had the weirdest 7 speed manual transmission I have ever had the displeasure to drive in it, and was grossly underpowered as well. Thought I would put a grain box on it and have a awesome truck, didn't bother going that far, it had more problems than I could keep up to, so sold it. I was sure happy the day it left the place, don't think I would look at another Mack. My experience with Mack trucks in Brandon was not so good either, they didn't seem to know much about my truck and I really didn't get much help from them and parts were always at least a week away and not always the right ones either when they did show up, unlike Peterbilt and Freightliner. This was 10 years ago as well, so I don't think it would be any better today in whacky world.
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MBRfarms
Junior Member
Posts: 59 Likes: 90
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Post by MBRfarms on Jun 28, 2023 10:14:54 GMT -6
We bought a 2009 Mack Pinnacle 6yrs ago and made it into a tandem. Was a super b spec truck with 485hp MP8 engine and 18sp manual and lower gear ratio. Engine is a Volvo D13 painted red and we have a top notch Volvo dealer 4mi from the yard so no issues getting parts or service. Axles/trans/suspension/etc are all common brands nothing proprietary so should be no issues there either. Biggest thing on the engine is the injectors+cups, we had to do them in the first year and it was $6-7000. If it starts hard they're likely on the way out. DPF also gave grief but it magically quit being an issue at the same time we bumped it up to the top 505hp tune. We pull a pup to haul to town and it pulls nice. Would be a touch short but doable for pulling super bs. 18 speed and the lower gear ratio definitely helps with pulling power. The cab is a little cheap for farm use, plastic dash pieces shaking loose/cracking thanks to all our washboard roads, replaced window motors and now the cab fan was acting up this spring so I'll need to change that I'm sure. If money wasn't an issue I'd have a heavier spec vocational Western Star or KW/Pete, but at the time we got our truck with 950k for $25,000 guys were asking $40-50,000 for beat up Paccar trucks. Neighbors bought a 2011 Mack with M-Drive trans for a tandem at the same time as us and found out those earlier M-Drives are not made for farm to field use. I've heard later versions are far better but not sure on models/years. 2011 was the first year for def but anything older than 2017-2018 is a piece of cake to delete anyways.
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Post by kevlar on Jul 18, 2023 18:02:17 GMT -6
Was just in Brandon today, hadn’t been past the Mack dealership in a little while, looks like it’s closed down? Anyone know if that’s correct? I didn’t get out and look inside, but it sure looked empty, and nothing on the lot, this was around 4:30. That’s not great. I wonder if everything just got moved into the Volvo dealer? Manitoba Mack was independently owned I thought, so not likely with Volvo.
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